Whatcom County Tsunami Action Plan The Whatcom County Plan Risk Assessment - Inundation Mean Higher High Water: 9.15’ Extreme (King) High Water: 12.82’ Mean Lower Low Water: 0.00’ Lowest Observed Low Water: -4.26

Potential Tsunami Surge Height: 10.00’

Planning Height 20.00’ Risk Assessment – Areas at Risk

Red: 20’ Contour Yellow: 40’ Contour Tsunami Siren Locations Maintenance & Monthly Tests Tsunami Alerts Tsunami Information Statement

A tsunami information statement is issued when an earthquake or tsunami has occurred of interest to the message recipients. In most cases, information statements are issued to indicate there is no threat of a destructive basin-wide tsunami and to prevent unnecessary evacuations. Information statements for distant events requiring evaluation may be upgraded to a warning, advisory, or watch based on updated information and analysis. Tsunami Watch Statement

A “Tsunami Watch” is issued when a tsunami may later impact the watch area. The watch may be upgraded to a warning or advisory or canceled based on updated information and analysis. Emergency management officials and the public should prepare to take action. Tsunami Advisory Statement

A tsunami advisory is issued when a tsunami with the potential to generate strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is imminent, expected, or occurring. The threat may continue for several hours after initial arrival, but significant inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include closing beaches, evacuating harbors, and marinas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Tsunami Warning Statement

A tsunami warning is issued when a tsunami with the potential to generate widespread inundation is imminent, expected or occurring. Warnings alert the public that dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue for several hours after initial arrival. Warnings alert emergency management officials to take action for the entire tsunami hazard zone. Appropriate actions to be taken by local officials may include the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas, and the repositioning of ships to deep waters when there is time to safely do so. Statements Can Be Confusing January 23, 2018

A tsunami warning is in effect for coastal and parts of Alaska after an earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck 256 kilometers southeast of Chiniak, Alaska, at a depth of 10 kilometers. The quake prompted a tsunami warning for the entire B.C. coast including the Straight of Georgia and all of Vancouver Island and a tsunami watch for the entire U.S. west coast, as well as a tsunami watch for the of Washington but it does not cover any of the coastal areas of Whatcom County. Interagency Response & Coordination

Canadian Local Canadian US Local Federal First Nations

State US Federal

Provincial Private Sector Canada City of Bellingham Canadian Border Services Agency Bellingham Police Department Delta Fire & Emergency Services City of Bellingham Fire Department Emergency Management British Columbia City of Bellingham Office of Emergency Management Natural Resources Canada/Geological Survey City of Bellingham Public Works of Canada Port of Bellingham Stakeholders Public Safety Canada United States Federal Native American Tribes Royal Canadian Mounted Police Bureau of Indian Affairs Department of Homeland Security Nation Semiahmoo First Nation Nooksack Indian Tribe White Rock Fire Rescue Fish & Wildlife Service National Weather Service Whatcom County United States Environmental Protection Agency United States Geological Survey Birch Bay Water & Sewer District Washington State North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Service Washington State Department of Ecology Prospect Fire Dispatch Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife City of Blaine United States Customs and Border Protection Washington State Department of Natural Blaine Police Department Whatcom County Fire District #11 Resources City of Blaine Public Works Whatcom County Fire District #17 Washington State Department of Transportation Port of Bellingham Whatcom County Fire District #5 Washington State Emergency Management Whatcom County Fire District #7 Washington State Parks Whatcom County Health Department Washington State Patrol Private Sector Whatcom County Parks and Recreation News Media, Social Bellingham Cold Storage Whatcom County Public Works Bellingham Yacht Club Whatcom County Search and Rescue Media and Community Bellwether Hotel Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Outreach Birch Bay Village Community Club, Inc. Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary BP Cherry Point Communication Service AlertSense BP Pipelines Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Community Bellingham Herald Cascade Natural Gas Emergency Response Team (CERT) Facebook Phillips 66 Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of KGMI Radio Energy Emergency Management My Ferndale News Sandy Point Improvement Company Whatcom Transit Authority The Northern Light Semiahmoo Homeowners Association What-Comm 911 Twitter Semiahmoo Marina Whatcom County Website and Semiahmoo Resort Emergency Alerts Birch Bay Sub-Zone

Birch Bay Sub Zone: 2,762 Parcels 4,100 Structures 4,835 People $492,000,000 Property $600,000,000 Total Value Birch Bay Sub-Zone Siren Birch Bay Sub-Zone Road Blocks Birch Bay Sub-Zone Assembly Points Birch Bay Sub-Zone Jackson Road It Gets Complicated…

Birch Bay Sub Zone: 2,762 Parcels 4,100 Structures 4,835 People $492,000,000 Property $600,000,000 Total Value It Gets Complicated Ten Times Over

Birch Bay Sub Zone: 2,762 Parcels 4,100 Structures 4,835 People $492,000,000 Property $600,000,000 Total Value Action Driven Checklists Pre-scripted Messaging Plan, Update, Exercise Questions?

John Gargett, Deputy Director Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (360) 778-7160 [email protected]